Case: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO v. Social Security Administration

1:25-cv-00596 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Feb. 21, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenged the U.S. DOGE Service’s access to sensitive federal information systems. Since President Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk allegedly initiated a broad and unlawful campaign to access highly sensitive information systems across multiple federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (SSA). This occurred in the broader context of the Trump Administration’s unprecedented reliance on DOGE,…

This case challenged the U.S. DOGE Service’s access to sensitive federal information systems.

Since President Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk allegedly initiated a broad and unlawful campaign to access highly sensitive information systems across multiple federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (SSA). This occurred in the broader context of the Trump Administration’s unprecedented reliance on DOGE, a temporary organization created without Congressional authorization.

On February 21, 2025, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO; the Alliance for Retired Americans; and the American Federation of Teachers filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. They sued the SSA, the U.S. Digital Service, and the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization. Specifically, the complaint alleged that DOGE gained access to SSA's systems, which contained highly sensitive data concerning millions of Americans, including financial, employment, medical, and personal address information. Represented by counsel from Democracy Forward Foundation, Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, including halting DOGE's access to SSA systems and data, deleting unlawfully obtained information, and costs and attorneys’ fees. They claimed that the Government’s actions violated various federal laws and constitutional principles intended to protect privacy and ensure proper governance, including the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the Tax Reform Act of 1976, the Privacy Act, the Federal Information Security Modernization Act, the E-Government Act, the Social Security Act, and the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The case was assigned to District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander.

On March 7, 2025, Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint adding the Chief Information Officer of the Social Security Administration, the DOGE Acting Administrator, and Elon Musk as Senior Advisor to the President and de facto head of DOGE as defendants. On that day, Plaintiffs also filed a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), Preliminary Injunction (PI), or an administrative stay. After a hearing on March 14, the Court granted Plaintiffs’ motion for a TRO, enjoining and restraining Defendants from accessing, using, or disclosing any personally identifiable information related to SSA systems. 771 F.Supp.3d 717. Further, on March 21, Judge Hollander clarified the terms of the TRO, explaining that employees of SSA who are not involved with the DOGE Team are not subject to the Order.

On March 24, Defendants filed a notice to appeal the Court’s TRO to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. On March 26th, the Defendants filed a motion to stay the TRO in the District Court. On March 27th, Judge Hollander extended the TRO through April 17th and on March 31st, she denied Defendant's motion to stay the TRO.

On April 1st, the Fourth Circuit dismissed Defendant's appeal for lack of jurisdiction. 2025 WL 1111245.

In the District Court, after a hearing on April 15, Judge Hollander granted Plaintiff's motion for a PI on April 17. 778 F.Supp.3d 685. As a result, the SSA was enjoined and restrained from granting access to any SSA system of record containing personally identifiable information (PII) and DOGE was ordered to disgorge and delete all non-anonymized PII data in their possession or under their control. Defendants immediately appealed the order and filed a motion to stay the PI. On April 22, Judge Hollander denied the motion for a stay.

On April 30, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit granted an initial hearing en banc on Defendant-Appellants’ motion to stay, denied the motion for stay pending appeal and denied the motion for a temporary administrative stay. 2025 WL 1249608.

On May 2, the U.S. Solicitor General filed an application for a stay of the PI issued by the District Court and a request for an administrative stay at the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court granted the stay, per curiam, on June 6, 2025, with Justice Kagan noting her disagreement, and a written dissent by Justice Jackson joined by Justice Sotomayor. 605 U.S. The dissent contended that the Government failed to substantiate its stay request by showing that it or the public would suffer irreparable harm without the Court's intervention.

On June 20, 2025, in the District Court, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss or, in the alternative, for summary judgment. However, on August 13, 2025, Judge Hollander denied that motion without prejudice as premature and stayed the case pending resolution of the appeal in the Fourth Circuit. Meanwhile, in the Fourth Circuit appeal regarding the preliminary injunction, the parties completed briefing in July 2025. The court held en banc oral argument on September 11, 2025.

On January 16, 2026, Defendants filed a Notice of Corrections to the Record to inform the court that the SSA's former DOGE Team engaged in data practices that violated agency security protocols and potentially defied a March 2025 Temporary Restraining Order. The filing reveals that DOGE team members shared data using "Cloudflare," an unapproved third-party server, creating security risks the agency is still investigating. In a deviation from DOGE's stated mission of efficiency, the Notice discloses that a DOGE member agreed to cooperate with an advocacy group seeking to overturn election results and match SSA data to voter rolls. The government found no evidence the DOGE employee provided SSA data to the advocacy group. The SSA acknowledged that previous declarations submitted to the court contained material misstatements regarding these activities, prompting Hatch Act referrals to the Office of Special Counsel.

On January 21, 2026, Plaintiffs moved to supplement the appellate record with the Defendants' Notice. Plaintiffs argued that the revelation of "material inaccuracies" and unauthorized data sharing is critical to the pending Fourth Circuit appeal regarding their Privacy Act claims and standing. The court granted the motion.

The Fourth Circuit issued its opinion and judgment on April 10, 2026. Writing for the majority, Judge Heytens held that plaintiffs had Article III standing based on injury analogous to the common law tort of intrusion upon seclusion, reasoning that the disclosure itself constituted harm without requiring publication or misuse of the information. However, the court found that plaintiffs failed to establish irreparable harm sufficient for preliminary injunctive relief because damages under the Privacy Act and reparative permanent injunction remedies may be available. Accordingly, the Fourth Circuit vacated the preliminary injunction and remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings.

On April 14, 2026, the district court granted the plaintiff’s motion to lift the previous stay and order discovery that had been filed in February. On April 17, the defendants moved for clarification on this order, and on the same day, the court issued its clarification. Specifically, the court explained that because the defendants intended to move to rescind the April 14 order, the court would wait until the outcome of that motion was resolved before requiring the defendants to respond to the discovery order.

On April 21, the defendants moved to rescind or stay the District Court’s April 14 order as improvidently granted. The defendants then filed a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction on May 1.

On June 26, the District Court denied the defendants’ motion to rescind or stay the court’s April 14 order. The court allowed discovery to continue regarding the handling of data by DOGE because the government had made misrepresentations about data access and noncompliance with previous court orders. The plaintiffs were therefore entitled to discovery in order to address any potential breaches of privacy and misuse of data. 2026 WL 1842617.

As of July 3, 2026, this case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Kara Wilczynski (7/10/2026)

Aanvi Jhaveri (5/8/2025)

Emma Vayda (8/14/2025)

Clay Canady (11/30/2025)

Jack Moore (1/26/2026)

Maddy Ligon (4/20/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69664313/parties/american-federation-of-state-county-and-municipal-employees-afl-cio-v/

Judge(s)

Coulson, J. Mark (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brewer, Simon Christopher

Fein, Ronald A. (Maryland)

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney, Bradley Philip

Christensen, Jacob Earl

Judge(s)

Coulson, J. Mark (Maryland)

Hollander, Ellen Lipton (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brewer, Simon Christopher

Fein, Ronald A. (Maryland)

Flaxman, Carrie Y (Maryland)

Jones, Karianne (Maryland)

Leibowitz, Emma R. (Maryland)

Mathieson, Anna-Rose

Samburg, Mark B (Maryland)

Sutherland, Brian Adair

Swift, Alethea Anne (Maryland)

Thurston, Robin Frances (Maryland)

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney, Bradley Philip

Christensen, Jacob Earl

Freeman, Mark R.

General, Brett A.

Hinshelwood, Bradley Alan

Holt, Samuel S. (Maryland)

Humphreys, Bradley Philip (Maryland)

Jerome, Simon Gregory

Kies, Marianne F (Maryland)

Kurland, Benjamin S. (Maryland)

McArthur, Eric Dean

Roth, Jacob Moshe

Roth, Yaakov M.

Ryan, James A. (Maryland)

Shapiro, Elizabeth J. (Maryland)

Sinzdak, Gerard Joseph

Starcher, Jack E.

Wilson, Michael Jackman (Maryland)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:25-cv-00596	Plaintiffs’ Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	Feb. 21, 2025	Feb. 21, 2025 Complaint
17 1:25-cv-00596	Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief American Federation of State v. Social Security Administration	March 7, 2025	March 7, 2025 Complaint
21 1:25-cv-00596	Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and/or 5 U.S.C. 705 Stay American Federation of State v. Social Security Administration	March 7, 2025	March 7, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
21-1 1:25-cv-00596	Memorandum of Law in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and/or 5 U.S.C. 705 Stay American Federation of State v. Social Security Administration	March 7, 2025	March 7, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
23 1:25-cv-00596	Order American Federation of State v. Social Security Administration	March 10, 2025	March 10, 2025 Order/Opinion
48 1:25-cv-00596	Temporary Restraining Order	March 20, 2025	March 20, 2025 Order/Opinion 771 F.Supp.3d 717
49 1:25-cv-00596	Memorandum Opinion American Federation of State v. Social Security Administration	March 20, 2025	March 20, 2025 Order/Opinion 771 F.Supp.3d 717
52 1:25-cv-00596	Correspondence	March 21, 2025	March 21, 2025 Correspondence
60 1:25-cv-00596	Defendants’ Motion for a Stay Pending Appeal and Memorandum in Support of the Motion	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
78 1:25-cv-00596	Memorandum	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 Order/Opinion

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14158 - Establishing and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" President Donald Trump	Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President's DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.	Jan. 20, 2025	Jan. 20, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69664313/american-federation-of-state-county-and-municipal-employees-afl-cio-v/

Last updated Aug. 27, 2026, 4:22 a.m.

Docket for: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO v. Social Security Administration

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Feb. 21, 2025	COMPLAINT against Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration, United States DOGE Service, United States DOGE Service Temporary Organization ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AMDDC-11799774.), filed by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers, Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/21/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP 2 Summons View on PACER 3 Summons View on PACER 4 Summons View on PACER 5 Summons View on PACER 6 Summons View on PACER 7 Summons View on PACER 8 Flattened Summons View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
2	Feb. 21, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Mark B Samburg on behalf of Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers (Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/21/2025)	RECAP
3	Feb. 21, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Karianne Jones (Filing fee $100, receipt number BMDDC-11799789.) by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/21/2025)	RECAP
4	Feb. 21, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Emma R. Leibowitz (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11799794.) by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/21/2025)	RECAP
5	Feb. 21, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Robin F. Thurston (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11799797.) by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/21/2025)	RECAP
6	Feb. 23, 2025	Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/23/2025)	RECAP
7	Feb. 23, 2025	Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by American Federation of Teachers (Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/23/2025)	RECAP
8	Feb. 23, 2025	Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by Alliance for Retired Americans (Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/23/2025)	RECAP
9	Feb. 24, 2025	PAPERLESS ORDER granting 4 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Emma R. Leibowitz. Directing attorney Emma R. Leibowitz to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 2/24/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/24/2025)	RECAP
10	Feb. 24, 2025	PAPERLESS ORDER granting 5 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Robin Frances Thurston. Directing attorney Robin Frances Thurston to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 2/24/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/24/2025)	RECAP
11	Feb. 24, 2025	PAPERLESS ORDER granting 3 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Karianne Jones. Directing attorney Karianne Jones to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 2/24/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/24/2025)	RECAP
	Feb. 24, 2025	Case Reassigned to District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson no longer assigned to the case. (kns, Deputy Clerk)
12	Feb. 25, 2025	QC NOTICE: 1 Complaint filed by American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Alliance for Retired Americans was filed incorrectly. Not all pdf documents (Summons) were flattened prior to filing. All pdf's uploaded to CM/ECF MUST BE FLATTENED for all future filings. Failure to comply may result in rejected filings and delays in case processing. This filing has been corrected by court staff and no further corrective action is required. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/25/2025)	RECAP
13	Feb. 25, 2025	Summons Issued 60 days as to Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration, U.S. Digital Service, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons) (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/25/2025) 1 Summons View on RECAP 2 Summons View on RECAP 3 Summons View on RECAP 4 Summons View on RECAP 5 Summons View on RECAP	RECAP
14	March 3, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers, Alliance for Retired Americans. Leland Dudek served on 2/27/2025, answer due 3/20/2025; Social Security Administration served on 2/27/2025, answer due 3/20/2025; U.S. Digital Service served on 2/27/2025, answer due 3/20/2025; U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization served on 2/27/2025, answer due 3/20/2025.(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	RECAP
15	March 3, 2025	AFFIDAVIT of Service for Complaint, Civil Cover Sheet, and Summonses served on Phil Selden, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland and Pam Bondi, Attorney General of the U.S. on 2/27/2025, filed by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers.(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	RECAP
16	March 3, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Alethea Anne Swift on behalf of Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers (Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	RECAP
17	March 7, 2025	AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants, filed by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers, Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Redline Against Original Complaint)(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/07/2025) 1 Redline Against Original Complaint View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
18	March 7, 2025	NOTICE by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers for the Clerk to issue summons (Amy Gleason) (Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/07/2025)	RECAP
19	March 7, 2025	NOTICE by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers for the Clerk to issue summons (Musk) (Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/07/2025)	RECAP
20	March 7, 2025	NOTICE by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers for the Clerk to issue summons (Russo) (Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/07/2025)	RECAP
21	March 7, 2025	MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and/or Stay by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Index to Declarations)(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/07/2025) 1 Memorandum in Support View on RECAP 2 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP 3 Index to Declarations View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
22	March 7, 2025	NOTICE by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers re 21 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and/or Stay (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit J)(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/07/2025) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C View on RECAP 4 Exhibit D View on RECAP 5 Exhibit E View on RECAP 6 Exhibit F View on RECAP 7 Exhibit G View on RECAP 8 Exhibit H View on RECAP 9 Exhibit I View on RECAP 10 Exhibit J View on RECAP	RECAP
23	March 10, 2025	ORDER re 21 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/10/2025. (c/ad hoc:AUSA Corcoran) (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	Clearinghouse
24	March 10, 2025	NOTICE by Social Security Administration (Wilson, Michael) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	RECAP
25	March 10, 2025	ORDER SCHEDULING telephone conference at 4:30 p.m. on March 10, 2025; DIRECTING Counsel for plaintiffs shall ensure that Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Wilson has been notified as to the conference call details. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/10/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	RECAP
26	March 10, 2025	ORDER re: Court Proceedings. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/10/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	RECAP
27	March 10, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth J. Shapiro on behalf of All Defendants (Shapiro, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	RECAP
28	March 10, 2025	QC NOTICE: 18, 19, and 20 Notice/Summons for Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, and Mike Russo filed by American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Alliance for Retired Americans was filed missing information. **Please provide serve on summons for the US Attorney for Maryland and the US Attorney General as required when suing the Federal Government using the event Notice (Other) and link Summons to 18, 19, and 20 Notice. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	RECAP
29	March 10, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Bradley Philip Humphreys on behalf of All Defendants (Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	RECAP
30	March 10, 2025	ORDER setting briefing schedule and hearing re 21 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and/or Stay filed by American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Alliance for Retired Americans; hearing scheduled for 3/14/2025 at 1:00 p.m. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/10/2025. (kns, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	RECAP
31	March 10, 2025	Telephone Conference held on 3/10/2025 before District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander.(Court Reporter: Trish Mitchell) (km13, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
32	March 12, 2025	NOTICE by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers re 19 Notice (Other), 18 Notice (Other), 20 Notice (Other) (Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/12/2025)	RECAP
33	March 12, 2025	NOTICE by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers re 19 Notice (Other), 18 Notice (Other), 20 Notice (Other) (Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/12/2025)	RECAP
34	March 12, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Benjamin S. Kurland on behalf of All Defendants (Kurland, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/12/2025)	RECAP
35	March 12, 2025	Summons Issued 60 days as to Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, Mike Russo, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Russo, # 2 Summons Musk, # 3 Summons USAG, # 4 Summons USA) (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/12/2025) 1 Summons Russo View on RECAP 2 Summons Musk View on RECAP 3 Summons USAG View on RECAP 4 Summons USA View on RECAP	RECAP
36	March 12, 2025	RESPONSE in Opposition re 21 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and/or Stay filed by Leland Dudek, Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Affidavit, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 03/12/2025) 1 Affidavit View on RECAP 2 Affidavit View on RECAP 3 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
37	March 12, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 21 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and/or Stay Nunc Pro Tunc (Unopposed) by Leland Dudek, Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 03/12/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
38	March 12, 2025	ORDER GRANTING 37 Motion for Nunc Pro Tunc Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/12/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/13/2025)	RECAP
39	March 13, 2025	REPLY to Response to Motion re 21 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and/or Stay filed by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Ex. K, Flick Supp. Decl., # 2 Affidavit Ex. L, Romig Decl.)(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/13/2025) 1 Affidavit Ex. K, Flick Supp. Decl. View on RECAP 2 Affidavit Ex. L, Romig Decl. View on RECAP	RECAP
40	March 13, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Carrie Y. Flaxman (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11840725.) by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/13/2025)	RECAP
41	March 14, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Jackman Wilson on behalf of All Defendants (Wilson, Michael) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	RECAP
42	March 14, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Marianne F Kies on behalf of All Defendants (Kies, Marianne) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	RECAP
43	March 14, 2025	Motion Hearing held on 3/14/2025 re 21 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and/or Stay filed by American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Alliance for Retired Americans before District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander.(Court Reporter: Patricia Mitchell) (jh2s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	RECAP
44	March 17, 2025	PAPERLESS ORDER granting 40 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Carrie Y Flaxman. Directing attorney Carrie Y Flaxman to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/17/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/17/2025)	RECAP
45	March 18, 2025	NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings, Motions Hearing held on 3/14/2025, before Judge Ellen L. Hollander. Court Reporter Patricia G. Mitchell, trish_mitchell@mdd.uscourts.gov. Total number of pages filed: 120. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained from the Court Reporter or through PACER. Redaction Request due 4/8/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/18/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/16/2025. (Entered: 03/18/2025)	RECAP
46	March 18, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of Teachers, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. Amy Gleason served on 3/14/2025, answer due 4/4/2025; Elon Musk served on 3/14/2025, answer due 4/4/2025; Mike Russo served on 3/14/2025, answer due 4/4/2025.(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/18/2025)	RECAP
47	March 18, 2025	AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons, Amended Complaint, Motion for TRO, Plaintiffs Reply, and Supporting Documents served on U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Attorney General of the U.S. on 3/14/2025, filed by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers.(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/18/2025)	RECAP
48	March 20, 2025	TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/20/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/20/2025)	Clearinghouse
49	March 20, 2025	MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/20/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk)	Clearinghouse
50	March 21, 2025	Letter ORDER re 48 Temporary Restraining Order. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/21/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/21/2025)	RECAP
51	March 21, 2025	Letter ORDER re 48 Temporary Restraining Order. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/21/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/21/2025)	RECAP
52	March 21, 2025	LETTER TO COUNSEL re Temporary Restraining Order. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/21/2025. (kns, Deputy Clerk) . (Entered: 03/21/2025)	Clearinghouse
53	March 24, 2025	Check Received on 3/24/2025 from Capitol Process Services, Inc. for American Federation of Teachers. Check Number: 1588. Amount: $250.00. (dass, Deputy Clerk) Modified to correct ECF document # on 3/24/2025 (dass). (Entered: 03/24/2025)	RECAP
54	March 24, 2025	Check Received on 3/24/2025 from Capitol Process Services, Inc. for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. Check Number: 1586. Amount: $250.00. (dass, Deputy Clerk) Modified to correct ECF document # on 3/24/2025 (dass). (Entered: 03/24/2025)	RECAP
55	March 24, 2025	Check Received on 3/24/2025 from Capitol Process Services, Inc. for Alliance for Retired Americans. Check Number: 1587. Amount: $250.00. (dass, Deputy Clerk) Modified to correct ECF document # on 3/24/2025 (dass). (Entered: 03/24/2025)	RECAP
56	March 24, 2025	RESPONSE re 48 Temporary Restraining Order Declaration of Compliance filed by Leland Dudek, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Shapiro, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/24/2025) 1 Affidavit View on RECAP	RECAP
57	March 24, 2025	NOTICE OF APPEAL by Leland Dudek, Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization. (Shapiro, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	RECAP
58	March 25, 2025	Transmission of Notice of Appeal and Docket Sheet to US Court of Appeals re 57 Notice of Appeal. IMPORTANT NOTICE: To access forms which you are required to file with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit please go to http://www.ca4.uscourts.gov and click on Forms & Notices.(kns, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	RECAP
59	March 25, 2025	USCA Case Number 25-1291 for 57 Notice of Appeal filed by Elon Musk, Mike Russo, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization, Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, Amy Gleason. Case Manager - Emily Borneisen (av4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	RECAP
60	March 26, 2025	MOTION to Stay re 48 Temporary Restraining Order, 49 Memorandum Opinion, 52 Memorandum to Parties, 50 Order, 51 Order Pending Appeal by Leland Dudek, Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Leland Dudek)(Kies, Marianne) (Entered: 03/26/2025) 1 Affidavit Declaration of Leland Dudek View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
61	March 26, 2025	Letter ORDER re 60 MOTION for Stay Pending Appeal. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/26/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/26/2025)	RECAP
62	March 27, 2025	NOTICE by Leland Dudek, Amy Gleason, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration of Compliance with Paragraphs 2-3 (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Exhibit 1, # 2 Affidavit Exhibit 2)(Shapiro, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/27/2025) 1 Affidavit Exhibit 1 View on RECAP 2 Affidavit Exhibit 2 View on RECAP	RECAP
63	March 27, 2025	PAPERLESS ORDER. In response to the government's filing this morning of ECF 62, the Court will hold a telephone conference with counsel at 12:15 p.m. on March 27, 2025. The government is directed to provide conference call information. A public access line will be provided. In order to assure adequate responses to the Court's questions, the government may wish to include Acting Commissioner Dudek as a participant in the conference. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/27/2025. (kws, Chambers) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	RECAP
64	March 27, 2025	Letter ORDER confirming the results of the Emergency Telephone Conference held today. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/27/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	RECAP
65	March 27, 2025	LETTER to Counsel re 60 Motion for Stay. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/27/2025. (c/em:4th Circuit COA) (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	RECAP
66	March 27, 2025	Correspondence re: Court's March 26, 2025 Letter Order (ECF 61) (Kies, Marianne) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	RECAP
67	March 27, 2025	Emergency Telephone Conference re 62 held on 3/27/2025 before District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander. (Court Reporter: Nadine Bachmann) (Rebecca Maldeis, Deputy Clerk - Courtroom 5B) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	RECAP
68	March 27, 2025	STATUS REPORT (Joint) by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	RECAP
69	March 27, 2025	Order setting briefing deadlines; Extending the Temporary Restraining Order through April 17, 2025. Signed by District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/27/2025. (jf3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	RECAP
70	March 28, 2025	Correspondence re: Court's March 26 Order (Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	RECAP
71	March 28, 2025	RESPONSE re 60 MOTION to Stay re 48 Temporary Restraining Order, 49 Memorandum Opinion, 52 Memorandum to Parties, 50 Order, 51 Order Pending Appeal filed by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers.(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	RECAP
72	March 28, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Samuel S. Holt on behalf of All Defendants (Holt, Samuel) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	RECAP
73	March 28, 2025	NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings held on 03/27/2025, before Judge Hollander. Court Reporter Nadine Bachmann, Telephone number 410-962-4753 nadine_bachmann@mdd.uscourts.gov. Total number of pages filed: 42. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained from the Court Reporter or through PACER. Redaction Request due 4/18/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/28/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/26/2025.(nb, Court Reporter) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	RECAP
74	March 28, 2025	NOTICE by Leland Dudek, Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization of Supplemental Declaration of Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 03/28/2025) 1 Affidavit View on RECAP	RECAP
75	March 28, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time Nunc Pro Tunc by Leland Dudek, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Shapiro, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/28/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
76	March 28, 2025	ORDER GRANTING 75 Motion for Extension of Time Nunc Pro Tunc. Signed by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/28/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/31/2025)	RECAP
77	March 31, 2025	RESPONSE re 62 Notice (Other), 74 Notice (Other), filed by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers. (Attachments: # 1 Ex. A (Doe Decl.), # 2 Ex. B (Lewis Decl.))(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 03/31/2025) 1 Ex. A (Doe Decl.) View on RECAP 2 Ex. B (Lewis Decl.) View on RECAP	RECAP
78	March 31, 2025	MEMORANDUM. Signed by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/31/2025. (chs, Deputy Clerk)	Clearinghouse
79	March 31, 2025	ORDER denying 60 Motion to Stay. Signed by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 3/31/2025. (chs, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/31/2025)	RECAP
80	April 1, 2025	Correspondence re: Notice of Compliance (Reply to Plaintiffs' Response) (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 04/01/2025) 1 Affidavit View on RECAP	RECAP
81	April 1, 2025	ORDER of USCA Dismissing this appeal lack of jurisdiction as to 57 Notice of Appeal filed by Elon Musk, Mike Russo, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization, Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service and Amy Gleason. (slss, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/01/2025)	Clearinghouse
82	April 1, 2025	JUDGMENT of USCA (certified copy) Dismissing this appeal as to 57 Notice of Appeal filed by Elon Musk, Mike Russo, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization, Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, Amy Gleason. (Attachments: # 1 Notice of Judgment)(slss, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/01/2025) 1 Notice of Judgment View on RECAP	RECAP
83	April 1, 2025	CORRECTED ORDER of USCA Dismissing this appeal for lack jurisdiction as to 57 Notice of Appeal filed by Elon Musk, Mike Russo, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization, Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service and Amy Gleason. (slss, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	RECAP
84	April 2, 2025	MOTION for Protective Order by Leland Dudek, Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 04/02/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
85	April 2, 2025	MOTION to Seal Administrative Record by Leland Dudek, Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 04/02/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
86	April 2, 2025	-SEALED - NOTICE of Filing Under Seal Administrative Record by Leland Dudek, Amy Gleason, Elon Musk, Mike Russo, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certification, # 2 Exhibit AR Part 1, # 3 Exhibit AR Part 2, # 4 Exhibit AR Part 3, # 5 Exhibit AR Part 4, # 6 Exhibit AR Part 5)(Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	RECAP
87	April 2, 2025	(FILED IN ERROR PER COUNSEL - WRONG ATTACHMENT) MOTION for Extension of Time and Notice Regarding Defendants Motions by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers(Swift, Alethea) Modified on 4/2/2025 (hmls). (Entered: 04/02/2025)	RECAP
88	April 2, 2025	ORDER GRANTING 85 Motion to Seal Administrative Record. Signed by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 4/2/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	RECAP
89	April 2, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time and Notice re Motion for Protective Order by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers(Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	RECAP
90	April 2, 2025	Correspondence to the Court by defendants. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	RECAP
91	April 2, 2025	Letter ORDER to Counsel re 84 MOTION for Protective Order filed by Elon Musk, Mike Russo, U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization, Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration, U.S. Doge Service, Amy Gleason. Signed by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 4/2/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	RECAP
92	April 2, 2025	MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Jones, Karianne) (Entered: 04/02/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
93	April 2, 2025	Due to the compressed schedule in this case, the government shall provide the court with a courtesy copy of the Administrative Record by noon on April 3, 2025. Paperless ORDER Signed by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 4/2/2025. (Hollander, Ellen) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	RECAP
95	April 2, 2025	MEMORANDUM AND ORDER re: 62 Notice of Compliance filed by Mike Russo, Leland Dudek, Social Security Administration, Amy Gleason. Signed by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 4/2/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/03/2025)	Clearinghouse
97	April 2, 2025	ORDER GRANTING 92 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Karianne Jones terminated. Signed by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 4/2/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/03/2025)	RECAP
94	April 3, 2025	RESPONSE in Opposition re 84 MOTION for Protective Order filed by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers.(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 04/03/2025)	RECAP
96	April 3, 2025	MOTION for Discovery Supplementation of the Administrative Record, or, in the Alternative, Limited Discovery by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 04/03/2025) 1 Memorandum in Support View on RECAP 2 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
98	April 3, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time Nunc Pro Tunc by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 04/03/2025)	RECAP
99	April 3, 2025	Marginal ORDER GRANTING 98 Motion for Extension of Time Nunc Pro Tunc; REMINDING Plaintiffs to include a proposed order with every motion. Signed by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander on 4/3/2025. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/03/2025)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Maryland

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 21, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO; Alliance for Retired Americans; and American Federation of Teachers

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Democracy Forward

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Digital Service

U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization

U.S. Social Security Administration

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Social Security (Title XX), 42 U.S.C. §§ 1397 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Appointments Clause

Other Dockets:

District of Maryland 1:25-cv-00596

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 25-01411

Supreme Court of the United States 24A1063

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 25-01291

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Stay of government action

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Appointment Authority

DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO v. Social Security Administration, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46174/ (last updated 4/20/2026).